Our planet Earth is currently in motion around the sun in an elliptical orbit, which means it is not a perfect circle. This Friday, Earth will be at its farthest distance from the sun, a point known as aphelion.
Aphelion occurs every July, and this year, it will happen on Friday at 1:06 a.m. Eastern time. The reason Earth has an aphelion is due to its elliptical orbit, which is influenced by the gravitational pull of other planets in the solar system. This gravitational tug of war causes the orbits of planets to deviate from perfect circles.
Jupiter, being the most massive planet in our solar system, exerts the most influence on the orbits of other planets. The eccentricity of an orbit is a measure of how much it deviates from a perfect circle. The higher the eccentricity, the more elliptical the orbit. For example, Mars has an eccentricity of 0.094, while Pluto’s eccentricity is even higher at 0.244.
As we approach aphelion, it’s interesting to note how our planet’s motion around the sun is not a simple circular path. The gravitational interactions between planets create a dynamic and ever-changing celestial dance that influences the shape of their orbits. So, while you enjoy the summer warmth and long days, take a moment to appreciate the intricate cosmic forces at play that determine our planet’s journey through space.
